Apple’s iBeacons aren’t the only Bluetooth LE beacons available, but they have so far been the default option for retailers thanks to the backing of such a well-known company. Qualcomm, which makes wireless chips for Apple among many others, may be aiming to change that with its launch of its own beacons from just $5 each.

Gimbal proximity beacons, available in two models, are accurate down to one foot and work indoors and outdoors […]

Depending on volume, Series 10 beacons [for indoor use] are available for as little as $5 each and Series 20 beacons [weatherproof version] are available for as little as $10 each.

While the move represents competition for Apple, it’s good news for iOS users …

Qualcom’s Gimbal beacons are compatible with iOS today, with a Software Development Kit available to allow retailers to create their own iOS apps. As users, we won’t need to either know or care which company provided a store’s beacons – the service will work in exactly the same way.

If you’re not yet up to speed with what Bluetooth LE beacons are all about, check out our iBeacon briefing here.

As with a number of Apple’s suppliers, Qualcomm is in the somewhat delicate position of being both a supplier and a competitor. The company announced its own 64-bit ARM chip shortly after describing Apple’s A7 chip as “a gimmick”, and recently launched a new smart watch – though currently only for Android devices. This uses the company’s Mirasol display: an e-ink style technology with ultra-low power usage to provide an always-on color display.

Engadget reports that the company built the watch “to show what’s possible” with the display.

Yeah, it looks like you need to register the gimbal beacons online and manage the geofences in the gimbal portal as well. I suspect the iOS and Android SDKs actually integrate with the gimbal web services so it looks like it definitely works different from Apple’s iBeacon implementation in the iOS 7 SDK. An iBeacon is basically nothing more than a BLE device that broadcasts out some special BlueTooth headers so I wonder what the difference is with the Gimbal beacons…

One thing I like about Apple iBeacon in Apple Stores is they ask permission [opt-in] to participate, it will be interesting to see if others are as courteous in their app creation or if Apple App Store approval requires it.

Yeah – um, OK…what are Apple iBeacons exactly? You make it sound like Gimbal is competing with some “thing” that Apple produces but they’re not.

How can Qualcomm be competing with Apple when Apple doesn’t actually make the beacons (other than phones/tablets themselves being beacons). In Apple stores, Apple uses tablets and phones as beacons, but in places like Macy’s it’s a completely different device made by a manufacturer.

It’s confusing stuff but iBeacon is Apple’s preferred technology stack for working with apps, devices and beacons powered by Bluetooth LE.

Qualcomm integrates with this technology stack and could, in theory, be branded as ‘iBeacon compatible’ once the spec is released.

“Competitor” seems like the wrong word here. If iHome releases a speaker dock that supports AirPlay, they’re not really a competitor. This sounds like good news for Apple. Another sign that their Bluetooth LE/Beacon strategy is catching on.